Fun on the Fourth

Fireworks and other fun Fourth celebrations are planned around the Sauk Valley next week. Among them:

Amboy

The Fireworks Festival will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday at Amboy Depot Museum, 99 E. Main St.

Local business owners will sell food; and musicians will perform live. Fireworks will start at dusk. Admission is free.

Call Deanne Hoy at 815-857-3814 for more information.

Byron

The Byron Dragway, 7287 N. River Road, will have fireworks Thursday. Gates open at 5 p.m. Drivers can show off their vehicles in a free car show. Spectator drag racing will be from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Children’s activities will be provided. Concessions will be sold. Fireworks will start at dusk. Admission is free.

Call 815-234-2762 for more information.

Davis Junction

Fireworks will start at dusk July 6 at Davis Junction Community Park at Moody and Lincoln streets, followed by Movies in the Park. “The Sandlot” will be shown. Admission is free.

Call 815-645-8000 for more information.

Dixon

The Petunia Festival fireworks will be at 9:30 p.m. July 7 on the south side of the Rock River near the 900 block of West First Street.

Spectator seating will be allowed on both sides of the river, and on the Peoria Street Bridge, which is new this year. Synchronized music will play on River Country 101.7 FM.

Fireworks will start after the 7 p.m. Clinton LumberKings game Thursday.

Mount Carroll

The city will celebrate with food, live music, a parade, and fireworks Thursday.

There will be music and a food stand from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the fire station on Clay Street. The parade will be at 6 p.m., starting at the old school on Main Street and ending at West Carroll Middle School, 633 S. East St. Afterward, firefighters will serve brats and pop at the middle school athletic field. Fireworks start at dusk on the field. Admission is free.

The annual Let Freedom Ring Festival will be held Wednesday through Saturday at the Historic Downtown Square.

Wednesday features the Little Miss and Mr. Pageant at 6 p.m.; the Let Freedom Ring queen coronation and ice cream social at 7 p.m.; and the Kable Band and community choir concert at 8 p.m.

Thursday, it’s the Firefighters Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the firehouse, 15 E. Center St.; the Lois Nelson Walk at 8 a.m. at Dillehay Park; a patriotic program at noon at the band shell; the 50th ringing of the original Freedom Bell and the official Illinois State Freedom Bell, and the Feed the Needy motorcycle parade at 1 p.m.; grand parade at 2 p.m., followed by a food court, craft fair, and entertainment until 7:30 p.m.; Kable Band concert at 8 p.m. behind David L. Rahn Junior High School, 105 W. Brayton Road; and the Fireworks Extravaganza at dusk at the school.

Friday will feature a craft fair, food court and live music all day. The John Bednarczyk Kiddie Parade will be at 5:30 p.m., followed by kiddie water fights, and live music. Entertainment starts at 8 p.m. in the beer garden.

Next Saturday will feature family activities from noon to 5 p.m. They include pony rides for children, a bags tournament, antique truck show, craft fair, food court, and live music. The Jonas Levi Fultz Memorial Car Cruise and Show will begin at 4:30 p.m. Drivers will run the parade route at 6:15 p.m. Dan Lornitis, hypnotist, performs at 6:30 p.m. Entertainment at the beer garden begins at 8 p.m. The Mounder Party will be at 9 p.m., with the final raffle drawing at 11 p.m. at Mount Morris Moose Lodge, 101 Moose Drive.

Amazing Grace’s annual Fourth of July Celebration will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday at the church at 512 Second Ave.

Free activities include water slides, a rock wall, Eurobungy, and cannon blasters. The fire and sheriff’s departments, hospital, and National Guard will display equipment. Hot dogs, chips, burgers, brats, snow cones, cotton candy, nachos, lemon shake-ups, pop, and water will be sold. Proceeds will benefit U.S. troops. Children younger than 10 must be accompanied by an adult.